Two at Toga (2023)

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by jms62

The "Cost the horse a placing" is so open to interpretation. I feel the standard should be did he put another horse/rider in danger.

Isn’t that open to interpretation?

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Isn’t that open to interpretation?

Well it is better than we are now which seems that both conditions need to be true.

[moses]

I’m tired of Irad’s antics but I can’t really have sympathy for the two other horses involved here, who appeared to be working together to prevent Forte from getting into open space. At what point in time did we become OK with horses from the same trainer teaming up to impede another horse?

I’ve seen a lot of people saying that’s just race riding. I don’t agree. It’s collusion and what bettor wants to see that? It’s different when we’re talking about running a rabbit to set up a closer, imo. I’ve never liked when Baffert did this with his horses and don’t think we should reward this ‘strategy’ by DQing a clearly better horse unless the foul is extraordinarily egregious.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by moses

I’m tired of Irad’s antics but I can’t really have sympathy for the two other horses involved here, who appeared to be working together to prevent Forte from getting into open space. At what point in time did we become OK with horses from the same trainer teaming up to impede another horse?

I’ve seen a lot of people saying that’s just race riding. I don’t agree. It’s collusion and what bettor wants to see that? It’s different when we’re talking about running a rabbit to set up a closer, imo. I’ve never liked when Baffert did this with his horses and don’t think we should reward this ‘strategy’ by DQing a clearly better horse unless the foul is extraordinarily egregious.

I’m not sure it had anything to do with trainers. I just think it was Prat not wanting to let anyone out. I think he would’ve done the same thing if it was Disarm inside of him and someone else, not trained by Cox on the lead.

Now Rosario wouldn’t have pushed his way out like Irad did but I digress

[moses]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I’m not sure it had anything to do with trainers. I just think it was Prat not wanting to let anyone out. I think he would’ve done the same thing if it was Disarm inside of him and someone else, not trained by Cox on the lead.

Now Rosario wouldn’t have pushed his way out like Irad did but I digress

Maybe you’re right but it’s a bad look imo. Just one of many (and in this instance, probably fairly minor) reasons the accumulation of most of the talented horses in a small number of barns creates issues for the sport.

[theguarantee]

Best Bet: Race 4 #2 Liberty Flame 8/1 - Think this one is every bit as likely a winner as the rest in here and believe the public will be gravitating to several others so should get a square price today.

Bet Value: Race 9 #8 Channel Maker 20/1 - Always like Channel Maker when there is some cut in the ground. Clearly you can cut that morning line ~in half with the conditions and Strong Quality scratching. I was interested in trying to get Strong Quality to wire this group so easy pivot to Channel Maker for me in here today.

Good luck.

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by theguarantee

Best Bet: Race 4 #2 Liberty Flame 8/1 - Think this one is every bit as likely a winner as the rest in here and believe the public will be gravitating to several others so should get a square price today.

Bet Value: Race 9 #8 Channel Maker 20/1 - Always like Channel Maker when there is some cut in the ground. Clearly you can cut that morning line ~in half with the conditions and Strong Quality scratching. I was interested in trying to get Strong Quality to wire this group so easy pivot to Channel Maker for me in here today.

Good luck.

You are having a VERY nice meet. Well done

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by theguarantee

Best Bet: Race 4 #2 Liberty Flame 8/1 - Think this one is every bit as likely a winner as the rest in here and believe the public will be gravitating to several others so should get a square price today.

Bet Value: Race 9 #8 Channel Maker 20/1 - Always like Channel Maker when there is some cut in the ground. Clearly you can cut that morning line ~in half with the conditions and Strong Quality scratching. I was interested in trying to get Strong Quality to wire this group so easy pivot to Channel Maker for me in here today.

Good luck.

Another great call. Impressive

[theguarantee]

^Thanks guys. It’s been a nice Spa ‘23 for me so far. Up pretty good on the meet even if frustrated feeling like I should be up more. Hopefully can keep it rolling into August.

[moses]

Good call!

Wednesday picks.

Race 7 - #3 Portos, 10/1
Race 9 - #5 Sarah Harper, 6/1

[theguarantee]

Best Bet: Race 10 - #2 Fulgini 12/1
Best Value: Race 8 - #7Runaway Rumour

[moses]

Originally Posted by moses

Good call!

Wednesday picks.

Race 7 - #3 Portos, 10/1
Race 9 - #5 Sarah Harper, 6/1

Porto’s paid $5.30 to place. I didn’t see Race 9 but Sarah Harper did not finish very high.

$120.00 wagered
$116.30 returned

Hoping to get back into the green.

First bet: Race 6 - #4 Destiny Star, 4/1. The works on this horse have been phenomenal. Half sibling Kentucky Kiss broke maiden on the turf. I don’t love taking a short price in a 2YO race but Johnny V is aboard here and have confidence this one will be given a fair shot. Maybe she gets overlooked since Hamm is her trainer?

Second bet: Race 9 - #2 Virginia Joy, 8/1. How many times has Chad Brown won a graded stakes race on turf for us all to say, “Of course, Chad Brown. How’d I miss that one?” I don’t love the pace scenario for the huge favorite War Like Goddess. She is obviously the class of this field…but she’s a late runner who may get no pace to run at. While likely front runners Elegant Taste and Vergara offer some appeal (the latter, much more so), I don’t think either of them are good enough to win this. She gets a massive jockey upgrade. Her last two races had Dylan Davis and Manny Franco aboard but she will have Prat aboard here. I think she’ll get a better trip this time around as the stalker right behind the two mentioned above and should get first run at them.